Don’t Worry Darling
Don’t Worry Darling (DWD) parallels its subject matter in the fact that it may look extravagant on the outside, but the mechanisms within are severely flawed. Olivia Wilde explores a theme that is more carried through the performances and clout of the actors rather than the plot of the movie.
Despite the beautiful set designs and costumes, the film does not really explore many themes that would be worth mentioning in a satirical thriller movie like this. The theme of the “Control of Patriarchy” is handled very plainly and is one that has been portrayed more effectively in other films. While writing this review, I struggled to come up with another theme that is worth diving into (Paranoia, Discrediting Mental Illness, etc), but they are all small embers to the larger flame of the “Patriarchy” theme.
Speaking on this, I noticed a trend in Hollywood recently of putting down men in order to uplift women. DWD is no exception. Wilde calls out a subset of men called “Incels” in this film. “Weak” men who can’t attract women and instead follow hollow leaders like Chris Pine’s character. While I agree that some of these men’s views can be toxic towards women, I also see that some women shame men in the same vein. Obviously, not in the same manner, but still in a destructive way that is detrimental to building a society that is loving and fair. Harry Styles portrays a kind-hearted dream-husband in this movie, but only because he is in a literal dream. ALL of the villains in this film are men, even all of the “Dream Guards”, who are all dressed in red and are complete duds. They literally have a multi-car collision in an empty desert somehow. It would have been nice to see one redeeming male figure, to showcase maybe that not all of us are trying to brainwash people.
Normally, during slow-burn thrillers like this one, there are moments that the director/script writer gives that hints to the viewer of what is to come. With DWD, it feels as if it takes a while for the movie’s message to be revealed. It feels like a rom-com with some side-quests in the beginning. I enjoy movies that flip the script or change an angle frequently. However, with this movie, many things happen that are strange and don’t get explained until later in the end, which left me frustrated for most of the movie. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if the movie’s last third is executed perfectly and strategically, but it isn’t.
The acting carries this movie to the finish line (if even that, will explain later). Florence Pugh and Chris Pine are particular stand outs in this movie. Pugh does a fine job in maximizing the “strangeness” of the world they are living it. Since Pugh’s character is going through essentially the same exposition process as the viewers are, she has to guide us with her emotions and decision-making that seems reasonable and sensible. For the most part, she does, but again, the story fails her in a few scenarios. Chris Pine, as a magnetic leader, utilizes the script in his monologues to the best of his ability. His character is a perfect representation of the types of leaders that spout gospel that younger, more insecure men cling to.
The ending left a bad taste in my mouth. There was so much more to be showcased! If you are going to have your movie be a slow-burn, it has to stick the landing on the final sequences and imagery. Alice finally has her redemption at the end, but we never get to see the consequences of the villains’ actions or her gripping with her experience as a matrix slave. How will she handle the real world going forward? What is she even like in the real world?
Don’t Worry Darling is ambitious in its attempt to weave a controversial message with a tasteful art direction. However, it presents itself in a way that thinks its better than the audience.
